Automobile.



A. H. C. GIBSON.

lH'Oh/IOBLEl APPLICATION FILEDMAR.H,1915 RENEWED DEC. 18.1918.

1,293,542, Emma Feb. 4,1919. f

Wfnese: l@ im s@ "29. v Invntar:

rider sitszlow, that is,

, UNITED saire tain new and useful Improvements in mobiles, of Whlch porta le asis maar anion.

ARTHUB HUG() GECIL QF NEW JERSEY.

` GIBSON, F NEW YGRK, N.. Y., ASSIGNG-R, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE GIBSN MDN-AUT@ GMPANY, 0F NEW YORK, N. 'Y., A

CRPGRATIN Application led March 11, 1915,

17 'o all whom t may concern.'

Be it known thatv I, ARTHUR GIBSON, 'a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of New York city, county and .State of New York, have invented cer- Autoa specifi` HUGO CECIL the following is cation, reference being had to the herein referred to, hereof.

' My invention has for its main objecten autoinobile which Will carry a person seated thereon, to ride comfortably, and at the same time involving a structure so small, compactand light that the rider can in turn carry the automobile. In the preferred form, the in. close proximity to the ground, with the relation of parts such that when moving, his legs are comfortably supported, and when not moving his feet will conveniently rest on the ground substantially as vvhen sitting in a chair. that While having ithe machine entirely under control he isat the .saine time in a posture permitting the handling of a riiie, or otherwise utilizing his hands with perfect free doni.

Attempts heretofore to produce small ve hicles e ave not resulted in anything ccmmarcial, except such as are so large and heavy as to preclude their being' readily trans orted, and in no Way are they transpossible with my present invention, with the exception of heretofore made suiiieientlylight to be car- Which are made a part ried, but adapted to transport persons stand ing thereon. Mv present invention consists in the combination of parts and featureslof construction peculiarly adapting such port? able vehicle to carry a person seated thereon, and so seated as to afi'ord freedom of control and manipulation as will hereinafter appear. In the particular embodiment of my invention which is herewith specifically shown and described and' illustrated in the draw ings:

Figure 1 is Fig. 2 is a ig. 3 is a ing wheel; v

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the driving wheel and mechanism. f

In the drawings, A is the main frame; B is the rear wheel support; B is the hinged portion on'one'side of the rear Wheel sup a side elevation; front elevation; part vertical section of the driv Specification of Letters atent.

Serial No. 13,792. Renewed December 113, 1918.

drawings4 one vehicle Patented Feb. t, MMSI.,

serial No. 267,405.

port; C is a tank or reservoir same; D is .the steering post the front forli; F front Wheel; rl 1s the ortion of the iiousing; E is G rear Wheel; engine; J is the steering post; K

Ais the handle bar; K handles; la is the seat spring; M is the seat spring clip; N is a pivot in the seat spring clip and starting levers are attached; O is a hinged foot rest; P is the seat; P', P are lateral collapsible portions of the seat; P being the central fixed portion of the seat attachedto the sea-t spring L.

In the rear Wheel, the rim Q shaped, having rollers B R rolling in said channel guide ,roller R, engaging said chan nel all the three rollers being supported in a rame S, .having transverse members S', connected by links S, pivoted at T to the engine casing H. i e engine-shaft H is supported in bearings in the engine casing in the rear Wheel supports B, B, While in the plane of the rear Wheel 'is Ithe roller il driven hy the engine.

One link Si has an. arni V, which may be forced away from the engine casingl by the Wedge V onerated by suitable means, such as the r. V, and by forcing it away it pivots `the links S, forcing the frame S downward with reference to the rear Wheel supports, so that the pulley U on the engineshaft is lifted out oi' Contact with the rollers R, in which position the engine-shaft will not drive the rollers R, and, other Words, permit the Wheel G to revolve free` or, in eli'ect, unclutch the engine from driving.

n the engine casing', a step-down gearing drives the cam or counteresha'ft W, to which is attached a ratchet pulley W and a rope W, which rope under the main frame and is attached to the starting lever 0.

hepost J is hinged close to the steering housing D, to permit folding backward, while the grips K are attached by a hinge or socket to the handle bar K, so that they also may be folded into a compact space.

The top of the steeringpost J has the rod. V" pinned to it at J, while the rod V is hinged at Vf, so that by disconnelcting the joint J this rod may be folded downward onto the main frame body portion C.

he seat support spring L is attached to the block lil", which is secured to the main frame close to the steering post housing, so that all strains are concentrated at the strong portion .of the structure. This seat spring is channel has two meinberswhich are horizontal at the end where they engage the seat P, and are twisted obliquely at their forward end where they engage the sides of the block M, so that the stren h at the forward end is taken up partial y by the strength represented-by a stress in the plane of the spring,

'whereas the gradual twist in these spring members affords more sprin as the rear is approached where the stress is transverse or on the fla-t side of tho members.

The seat has two /lateral bottom portions' P, which are hinged to the central portion,

while the back of the seat is also made in three parts permitting the two lateral portions to fo d downward into a compact In the operation of y vehicle, a person sitting on theseat isi such close roximity to the ground that he vsupports t e vehiclel with one or both feet, much in the fashion of a camp or fieldstool. By raising one .foot

' and pressing on the foot rest O', he can pull the startin rope W, which turns. the countershat W by means of the ratchet starting wheel lV', and iii this manner `s ins the engine-shaft and starts the engine. his starting of the engine may be done with the handle bar pulled slightly backward, under which condition the rod V having wedged into the arm V, pivotingthe link S', will have raised Vthe drivin pulley U out of conltact with the rollers --R. Thereupon the handle bar may be pushed forward, ulling the rod V" andi gradually allowing t ie pulley U to engage the rollers R, thereby letl, ting the weight of the vehicle and occupant down onto the rollers and through the rollers `to the inside of the channel Q on the driving wheel, so that the power of the eugiiie-sliaitt will be transmitted to the riii'i of the wheel.

To effect braking, a member attached to the engine or one of the mgfnbers of the rear bifurcated support, projects into the space below the rollers R,'so that when the driving pulley U is raised ofi' the rollers the first movement .effects the iincliitching, and a further movement-iii the same direction causes the brake .shoe to engage the rollers R, thereby retarding the driving mechanism and the wheel turn..

The tank portion C oi the main frame may be connected in any suitable manner, to. the carburetor and engine, while any .toi-m of ignition and control for the engine may be used.

It will be seen that the rider is in suoli a position as to be able to support the vehicle laterally with his foot on the ground, to any extent required, and can start the engine without getting olf, and while riding has his legs in a position which will not interfere with the engine or other operating pa-rts. Suitable guards, as shown or otherwise, may surround a portion of the wheels, protecting the driver, as well as the engine parts from mud and dirt.. l

For accessibility, the rear fork portion B is hinged so that Vthe same mayr be removed from the end of the shaft Hi', permitting inspection and adjustment or removalof the driving 'mechanism and the flywheel, as well as the removal of the entire rear wheel and engine as a unit, from the rear forks.

Various modifications may be made in detail and in the general arrangement, without departing from the spirit of my invention, but what I claim and desire to' secure by Letters Patent is:

1; A portable automobile comprisiir :i front steerin wheel, a rear driving w ieel in tandem t erewith embodying driving mechanism and engine, an interconneetin frame, a seat above the rear wheel an resilient means to support said seat attached in close proximity to the forward end of the frame.

' 2. A portable automobile adapted for the conveyance of a single person, comprising two wheels in tandem, a seat in close proximity to the wheel. base and located substan tially above the rear wheel, resilient means for supporting said seat at the forward end of the frame, a tubular frame connecting the two wheels, substantially as described.

3. A folding, one-man automobile comprising a single1 tube main frame, a steering pillar at the front end of same frame, a

ifurcated, extension in the rear of said 'fi-ame, an engine attached to one lateral member of the rear bifurcated portion, a driving wheel and power transmission mechanism supported in the bifurcated exten sion, and means to raise the engine and frame relatively with reference to the driv ing wheel. y f

4. A portable automobile having a single main frame member with bifurcated. rear extension, an engine-shaft supported in said bifurcated rear extension, a driving wheel i surrounding said engine-shaft, a frame supporting said driving wheel, means for movingl said lsupporting frame relatively with respect to the driving shaft, for the purpose described.

' 5. A folding, self-propelled vehicle coin-- prising a main frame and two wheels in tandem, a hin ed steeringr post, means connecting with tie steering post lo clutch and nected with the handle bar to i secured to the block at one l0 lessees Y u. unclntch the driving mechanism, hinged connections for said means, and a folding seat.

6. In a selfpropelled vehicle, a front steering Wheel, a rear driving wheel, engine and driving mechanism, clntch mechanism associated with the rear Wheel, means conoperate said clutch mechanism, pivoted foot rests and means connected with the foot rests to start said engine.

7. A folding, self-propelled vehicle coniprising a main frame and two wheels in tandem, a hinged steeringa post, means connecting with the steering post to clutch and unclutch the driving mechanism and apply the brake, hinged connections for said means, and a folding seat.

8. A twov Wheel motor vehicle comprising a frame having a steeijinl post, front forks, a single tubular longitudgi of relatively large size forming the sole connection between the front and rear Wheels and adapted to constitute a fuel tank, and a downwardly extending portion for attachment to a rear wheel.

9. .A vehicle frame vcomprising a body and a rigid rojection adapted to support a Wheel an having one arm adjustable to permit a Jfieady removal of the Wheel.

Wheel and having one hinge-connected arm topermit a ready removal of the Wheel.

11. A vehicle frame comprising a suhstantially horizontal member, an inciined member extending 'downwardly therefrom and an arm hinged to the horizontal inember and forming together with the inclined member a fork adapted to support a axle.

12. A'Vehicle comprising a frame, a spring; secured to the frame near the front elle/nding hackwardly therefrom and a seat cured to the free end of the spring near the rear of the vehicle.

13, A 'vehiclecomprising a traine, iiat springs secured atone end tothe frame near the front of the vehicle in inclined planes and extending backwardly and upwardly with their :tree ends twisted into a horizontal plane, and a seat secured to the free ends oi' the springs near the rear of the vehicle.

14,-. A vehicle comprising a frame havingl a substantially horizontal 'tubular member, a spring,Y block seated on the tubular inemn bei' near the front of the vehicle, straps for holding' the block in positionx Eat springs end and entending backwardly therefrom, and a seat secured to the free ends ofthe springs near the rear of the vehicle.

15. A motor vehicle comprising a frame, a foot rest 4fork pivot-ally attached to the frame and foot rest projections extending ,eiitcnding outwardly from nal beam or body c t I fork adapte vehicle frame comprising a. body' 'and a fork projection adapted to support av outwardly. from the sections of the fork at their lower ends.

i6. motor vehicle comprising a frame, a foot res fori: pivotally attached to the frame and toot rest projections hinged to and the sections of the forli at their lower ends whereby the foot rest projections are adapted to fold against the fork sections.

17. A .motor vehicle comprising a substantia'lly horizontal body, a steeringpost having a front wheel fork mounted to turn in the post,v a steering post having hinge-connected sections, a handle bar at the top of the post having handle grips, and a motor driven rear Wheel1 i8. A. folding motor 'vehicle comprising a substantially horizontal body, a steering post housing, a frontwheel fork mounted to turn in the post, a steering post havin hingeconnected sections extending upwar 1y from the fork, a handle bar atjthetop of the rod having hinged handle grips adapted to fold thereon, and a motor cl-' ven rear Wheel. i

lit A folding motor vehicle comprising a 90 body having a substantially horizontal member and an inclined member extending downwardly therefrom at the rear and a hinged arm orinina with the inclined member a to support a wheel, a steering 95 post housing, e front fork mounted to turn in the housing, a sectional steering post housing extending upwardly from the fork, and a handle har at the top of the ost having hinged handle grips adapte to fold 100 thereon.

:20, A folding motor vehicle comprising a body having; a substantially horizontal inember, kentiy mounted on the body and having n nrality of collapsible seon 106 tions.

Il folding 4znotea' vehicle comprising a having' a substantially horizontal inemher, a steering post housing, a .front fork mounted to turn in the post, a steering post, 110

a seat resiliently mounted on the body and .having plurality of collapsible sections, saifl steering post having h1nge-connected ions, and a handle har at the top of the post having hinged handle lgrips.

22. A. ino-tor vehicle comprising a frame, steering means, a driving motor having a casing attached to the frame and a driving shaft, a clutch mechanism, means dependent upon the steering; means for operating the 126 clutch mechanism, and a road Wheel adapted to hc operatively connected to the motor shaft.

A motor vehicle comprising a rear wheel and a driving motor therefor, mechanism, a front wheel, and a steering means therefor adapted to be moved in one Way for steeringA the vehicle and in another Way for operating the clutch.

motor vehicle comprising a rear 13 0 a clutch driving wheel, a driving motor therefor, a clutch mechanism, a front Wheel, and a rotatable steering post therefor having a hinged extension adapted to be turned for steering the vehicle and to be moved back and forth to operate the clutch.

A. motor vehicle comprising a driving motor, a clutch mechanism, a steering post having a hinged extension, a clutch rod de taehalily connected to thestcering poet and` adapted to fold close to the vehic e frame with the steering pos-t extension.

26. A motor vehicle comprising a body having a downwardly extending projection at the rear, an engine and a crank shaft se cured to the projection, a Wheel. having an annular roller race, a fram i surrounding the crank shaft, link connected to the engine iframe, rollers mounted in the frame and adapted to igage the race and an o erative connexion between the engine an( the rollers.

Q7.. ,A motor vehicle comprising a body having a downwardly extending projection at the rear, an engine and a crank shaft secured to the projection, a road wheel having an annular roller racc, a frame surrounding the crank shaft and link-connecti l to the engine frame, rollers mounted in the frame :und adapted to engage the race, and a driving roller connected to the crank Shaft and adapted to engage the rollers in the frame.

A motor vehicle comprising a body having a downwardly extending projection :it the rear, :in engine haring! a crank shaft und a traine ,occured to the projection, t. road uliccl having an annular roller race, a frame surrounding the cranii shaft and link-cow nect'ed to tbe engine traine, rollers mounted in the ira'inc and ado i fo engage the racc, and a. driving rollt A. tire cranlt shaft and adapted to engage tne rollcs in the frame, and means for adjuetingtlic roller frame relative to the engine traine to move the driven roll into and ont. of engage nient with the dr ing roller. i

2S. A motor vehicle comprisinga body having a downwardly extending profcction at tbe rear, an engine having a crank shaft, and a frame secured to the projection, ay road wheel having an annular roller race, a roller tranne surrounding the crank shaft, linke connecting the roller frame to the' en gine frame, a bell crank arm projection `from one link and means adapted to act thereon. to Shift the roller frame. 30. A motor vehicle comprising a body having a downwardly extending projection :it the rear, an engine having a crank shaft, und a frame secured to the projection, a rond wheel havingr an annular race, a roller frame surrounding the crank shaft, links `connecting the roller frame Ato the motor Frame, a cell crank arm projection from one link and a wedge adapted to act thereon to having cliiit the roller frame und an operating rod connected to the wed c.

31. A motor vehic e comprising a body a downwardly extending projection at the rear, an engine having crank shaft and a frame secured to the projection7 a road wheel having an annular race, a roller frame surroundin the crank shaft, links connecting the ro ler frame to the engine rame, a rbell crank arm projection from one link and a wedge adapted to act thereon to shift the roller frame and a steering po 'i'- l'iaving a hinged section operatively como. ed to the wedge.

52. motor vehicle comprising .a driving wheel havingr a roller mec, a frame, an ongine nu'ninted on the frame, a roller frame within the Wheel having a plurality of rollera4 adapted to engage the race, and means for operatively connecting the engine with the rollers.

33. A motor vehicle comprising a driving wheel having a roller race, a frame, an engine mounted `on the frame, a rollcr frame within thc wheel hai-:ing a plurality of roll 90 ers adapted to engage the race, and means for operatively connecting the engine with the rollers comprising one or more friction drive rollers.

3ft. A motor vehicle comprising a driving wheel having a .ro er riice5 c iframe, an en'- ginc inouutccil on the frame, a roller frame within the wheel having a plurality of rolln ers adapted to engage the racc, a roller connected to the cogne and adapted to engage the race7 n. roller connected to the engine and adapted to engage tne rollcra of ille frame and Steering means operatively ,onnccted to the roller frame 'for Shifting; the rollers into end ont of engagement 'vv'lili the engine roller.

il motor vehicle coinjfiriaing a front isteering wheel, n. steering handle. a rear driving wheel, n. driving motor, a clutch irocchanif-,m a brake mechanism, and, means dependent upon the steering;` handle for o crating either the clutch mechanism or t e brake mechanism.

36. A motor vehicle comprising a body, an engine having a frame attached Ato the body and driving shaft rotatively mounted in the frame, a road wheel. an interposed friction driving mechanism for operatively connecting the drivin. shaft to the wheel and supporting the W eel.

37. A motor vehicle comprising a body, a motor havin a frame rigidly attached to the body, a r11/ing shaft, a road wheel haw ing an annular i Ulli Leganes the frame, e road wheel having en annuler friction track, a rotary friction member on the driving shaft and interposed friction transmission members.

39. A motor vehicle comprising e. body, a motor having e frame attached to the body and e driving sha-ft rotatively mounted in the frame, e road Wheel having an annular friction track, e rotary friction member on the driving shaft, and friction transmission rollers interposed between' 'the engine driving wheel and the trac 4G. A motor vehicle comprising a body, en engine having a frame rigidly secured to the body, and e crank shaft rotatively mounted in the'rame, a road Wheel having an annular roller race, s friction transmis` sion member on the crank shaft, and interposed rollers between the irrmsmsision member and the race.

el. A motor vehicle comprising a body, ein engine having e :frame rigidly secured to the body, and a crank shaft rota-tively mount` ed in the frame, a. road wheel having en zur nuiar roller race, e friction transmission member on the crank she-ft, interposed rollers between the transmission member and the race, and means for throwing the friction transmission members into end out of driving connection.

42. A motor vehicle comprising a body, steering mechanism, an engine having a frame rigidly secured to the body and a crank shaft rotatively mounted in the frame, :i rond wheel having :in annular roller race, e. friction transmission member on the crank shaft, interposed rollers between the transmission member and the race, and means dcpenrlent upon the steering mechanism for throwin the friction transmission members into anf; out of driving connection.

` 43. A motor vehicle comprising a body, steering mechanism, brake mechanism, an engine having e frame rigidly secured to the body, and e crank shaft rotatively mounted in the freine, n. road wheel having an annulzir roller rece, a friction transmission mem# ber on the crank shaft, interposed rollers between the transmission member and the race, end means for dscngaging the transmission member' from the rollers and for applying the brake mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specication, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 2nd day of March 1915.

ARTHUR HUG@ CECIL GIBSON. Witnesses:

DANIEL J. GUINAN, H. MUCHMORE. 

